Occupational health and safety news and guidance

A worker unloading scaffold materials from a flatbed lorry was thrown
from the vehicle and hit by its load of boards and tubes when it
overturned a court was told (on 12 October).

Martin Sapec, 54, of Edwardsville, Treharris suffered a broken pelvis
and ankle in the incident at Bryntirion, Mountain Ash, on 15 August
2011.

Pontypridd Magistrates heard that Mr Sapec was helping delivery
driver Wayne Ford to unload the scaffolding material while standing on
the back of the lorry. The vehicle was fitted with a crane operated by
Mr Ford, who failed to extend a stabilising outrigger from the vehicle
designed to provide balance while the crane is in operation.

Because the crane was used without the extended outrigger, the lorry
became unstable and tipped over, throwing Mr Sapec off. As he landed,
some of the scaffold boards and tubes from the lorry fell on top of him.

Mr Sapec has been unable to work since the incident because of his injuries.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Wayne
Ford was responsible for the lorry, and was at fault for not using the
crane and extending outrigger in the correct, safe manner.

Mr Ford, of Shingrig Road, Nelson, pleaded guilty to breaching
Section 7(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. He was fined
£1,000 and ordered to pay £1,000 in costs.